CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]

ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS and FUTURE ACCOUNTING POLICY CHANGES

ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Reference Rate Reform

For eligible hedging relationships existing as at January 1, 2021 and prospectively, we have applied the optional expedient in Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-04 whereby the modification of the hedging instrument does not result in an automatic hedging relationship de-designation. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Clarifying Interaction Between Equity Securities, Equity Method Investments and Derivatives

Effective January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2020-01 on a prospective basis. The new standard was issued in January 2020 and clarifies that observable transactions should be considered for the purpose of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 321 Investments - Equity Securities immediately before the application or upon discontinuance of the equity method of accounting. Furthermore, the ASU clarifies that forward contracts or purchased options on equity securities are not out of scope of ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging guidance only because, upon the contracts’ exercise, the equity securities could be accounted for under the equity method of accounting or fair value option. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Income Taxes

Effective January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2019-12 on a prospective basis. The new standard was issued in December 2019 with the intent of simplifying the accounting for income taxes. The accounting update removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 Income Taxes as well as provides simplification by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

FUTURE ACCOUNTING POLICY CHANGES

Accounting for Certain Lessor Leases with Variable Lease Payments

ASU 2021-05 was issued in July 2021 to amend lessor accounting for certain leases with variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate and would have resulted in the recognition of a loss at lease commencement if classified as a sales-type or a direct financing lease. The ASU amends the classification requirements of such leases for lessors to result in an operating lease classification. ASU 2021-05 is effective January 1, 2022 and can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Modifications or Exchanges of Certain Equity-Classified Contracts

ASU 2021-04 was issued in May 2021 to clarify issuer accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. The ASU requires an issuer to determine the accounting for the modification or exchange based on the economic substance of the modification or exchange. ASU 2021-04 is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied prospectively. We are currently assessing the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity

ASU 2020-06 was issued in August 2020 to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. The ASU eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The ASU also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. The ASU amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use if-converted method for all convertible instruments and an update for instruments that can be settled in either cash or shares. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis. We are currently assessing the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.